Remember ‘Get in the Loop’ campaign initiated by BPL Mobile way back in 2007? Well, it was just a first step towards a progressive migration because from today midnight, BPL Mobile will be known as Loop Mobile. The transition is the result of BPL Mobile’s rapid growth and also the deployment of NGIP (Next Generation Internet Protocol) and EDGE technologies.
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With the additions done and dealt with, let’s have a look at the market shares and user base of these GSM operators. Here it goes:
We Say: With Bharti adding the highest number of users to its kitty each month, it is unlikely that it will lose its position. However, Vodafone is trying its level best to reach closer by adding around the same number of users as Airtel. BSNL and Idea also seem to be battling it out for the third position. Though Reliance may seem to be a small player out here, it is adding large number of users each month and we expect to see it climbing up the rankings soon.
BPL Mobile has launched three rental free plans which they’ve branded as ‘EEZEE Postpaid’. As per the plan details, subscribers will have to pay a one time yearly charge and can enjoy lower calling and SMS rates without paying any extra fixed monthly charge. The different EEZEE plans and their details are:
EEZEE 999
EEZEE 777
EEZEE 444
The direct selling agents are back with a bang this year. This time they lured me with a BPL Mobile plan (even though I am on Airtel!). Needless to say, I turned it down. Anyways, here are the details.
Plan Name: 199 Jodi (pair) Plan
Monthly Rent: Rs. 199
Inter-calling between Jodi: free
Local Calling: 50 paise/minute
Local SMS: Re. 1
National Calling: Re. 1/minute
National SMS: Rs. 1.5
CLIP: Free
Although I got this plan from a DSA, you can try your luck by contacting the BPL Mobile execs about the same.
BPL Mobile along with Hyderabad based IMImobile has partnered with the Mumbai Police to make Mumbai roads safer. This is being done through a service, currently being used by the Mumbai Police to book cases of drinking and driving.
The service: The mobile based service helps the cops identify people who have already been caught and penalised for such cases, by just SMSing the license number of the person’s car to a confidential number. Through this system, the cops can take strict action against people who have been charged for the same more than once. Also, the records can be updated at the same time, thus making it more cop-friendly.
According to the officials, this service has helped them considerably, especially with its prompt response. It is believed that the service will help make Mumbai roads a lot more safer.
We Say: On one hand BPL is trying to fulfill its share of responsibility and at the same time setting an awesome example to other operators. We hope to see the others follow with similar steps.
With the festive season coming up, BPL Mobile has come up with festive benefits to woo new users. This one is called the Utsav Card and has been rolled out for people joining the BPL family. Here are the details:
Need to book a ticket or get an appointment with Mumbai’s top hairstylist or want to eat authentic Chinese food in Mumbai… What do you do in such cases? Call JustDial... or (now) call BPL Mumbai search. This service, according to BPL can help you get details of almost anything by just dialing *111# from your BPL mobile.
Charges to call the number are free, but once you have selected the category you are searching for, you will be charged Rs.3 This service is also available on SMS: Just type in the details you need and send it across to 54000 and get the details SMSed on to your phone.
We say: The service would not be preferred by most as there is an already existing free service available to Mumbai residents. Also charging Rs.3 compared to the its free substitute takes away the chances of this service being used by people.
BPL Mobile’s @Cafe WAP service will now feature a dedicated section for Ganesh Chaturthi. The special section will have mantras, aartis, bhajans, shlokas, colorful Ashtavinayak and Bal Ganesh wallpapers, games etc. to appeal to Ganesha’s devotees. There will be minute short clippings from the movie ‘Bal Ganesh’ up for grabs which depicts the life and times of Lord Ganesh. Other VAS services will also be offered like Ganesh Apps@Cafe and Ganesh Games@Cafe which will cost Rs. 49 for each application and game respectively.
BPL Mobile have announced the support of BlackBerry Connect software for select Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson and Asus phones. With the BlackBerry Connect software, users will be able to access BlackBerry services like BlackBerry Enterprise Server and BlackBerry Internet Service without the need for owning a Blackberry device. The list of phones is not huge but BPL Mobile makes sure they have covered the widely used business phones.
Click here for a complete list of handsets supported.
BPL Mobile users can activate 10 ka Gang service to enjoy cheap calling rates within their set of 10 BPL numbers. Users can use this scheme right away by recharging their prepaid account with a e-topup of Rs. 249. A successful recharge will then allow the user to send 300 free SMSes every month to his gang members as well as calling them will cost 10 paise a minute. Rates outside the gang will be charged at: